Well, I suppose it had to happen. After eleven years of teaching at a public university, I finally got a call from one of my superiors informing me that I had made one of my co-workers feel “uncomfortable” in the workplace. For those who may not know, the right to feel “comfortable” at all times trumps the First Amendment at most public universities.

Naturally, when I found out that I made a co-worker feel “uncomfortable,” I wanted to know what I had said or done to produce such an unthinkable result. That was when I learned that the “discomfort” occurred because I had been discussing some of my weekly columns here in the workplace (i.e., at the public university). The penalty for that transgression was simple: a ban on discussing my columns in the office in front of those who might be offended by my opinions. This was accompanied by the shocking revelation that “not everyone sees things the way you do, Mike.”

When it first hit me that while in the office I could no longer talk about gay rights, feminism, religion, Darwinism, affirmative action, or any issue I discuss in my column, I was outraged. In fact, I got so mad that I raised my voice before storming out of my superior’s office. I never thought that the right of each university employee to feel comfortable at all times would ever actually be enforced against me here in the workplace (a.k.a., the public university).

But after I thought about it for a while, my anger turned to elation. Surely, the power to trump the First Amendment rights of others in response to “discomfort” is available to all employees, not just a select few. Since that must be the case (because our public university is committed to equality), I decided to make a list of every situation I had encountered at UNC-Wilmington where I felt “uncomfortable.”

Armed with such a list, university administrators can now identify and silence the responsible parties, and I can enjoy the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of unmitigated comfort. The following list isn’t yet complete, but I thought that I would share some highlights since I’m not allowed to talk to anyone in the office (here at the public university) about these issues:

*My first year at UNCW, a faculty member in our department objected to a job candidate because he was “a little too white male.” Such comments make me feel really uncomfortable, being a white guy and all that.

*My second year at UNCW we removed a white woman from our interview pool in order to make room for a black woman. When the university forced me to discriminate on the basis of race, I felt really uncomfortable.

*My third year at UNCW someone suggested that we should reject a job candidate because he was “too religious.” It sure makes me feel uncomfortable when people say things like that.

*My fourth year at UNCW someone objected to a job candidate because she felt that the husband played too dominant a role in the candidate’s marriage. It also makes me feel uncomfortable when people say things like that.

*Then there are all the times that the name Jesus Christ has been used as a form of profanity in the office. That makes me feel uncomfortable. By the way, I am especially offended by the phrase “Jesus F***ing Christ!” I mean, no one ever says “Mo-F***ing-Hammed!” or “F***ing Buddha!,” do they?

*Then there was the time that a gay activist in our department suggested that I switch to bi-sexuality in order to double my chances of finding a suitable “partner.” That made me feel uncomfortable and she knew it. After I started to blush, she asked, “What’s the matter, are you a little homophobic?” So what if I don’t think you can change your sexual orientation as easily as your underwear? Is that so wrong? Do I really have a phobia?

*And how about the time that a faculty member called another faculty member a “mother f***er” in one of our meetings? That was before he said that he should have climbed over the desk and “slapped the s*** out of him.” These sociologists need to start getting along with one another if they plan to build a Utopian society. Plus, it makes me feel really uncomfortable to hear about these threats of violence in the workplace.

*Then there’s the professor in our department who thinks that I am trying to poison her with tear gas. A few years ago the police questioned me about breaking into her office and spraying chemicals. That was a pretty uncomfortable situation. I think it even qualifies as a Maalox moment. By the way, how long do I have to work with this woman? She makes me feel very uncomfortable.

*And then there was the time that the university attorney read two of my personal e-mails against my objections. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable that made me feel? That’s a long story that you can read about in my new book, which I am not trying shamelessly to promote. I know that capitalism makes a lot of my colleagues feel uncomfortable.

*A member of the UNCW Board of Trustees has been heard calling people “white trash” and making other racist statements in public. She has to vote on my next promotion as well as the promotion of every other professor at the university. That makes me feel a little uncomfortable, still being a white guy and all that. Maybe my race makes her feel uncomfortable, but some of us can’t afford to change the color of our skin. We can’t all be like Michael Jackson. I know that makes a lot of parents feel comfortable.

Well, that covers the first ten items on my list. I have over two hundred more to go but I’m getting a crick in my neck from writing all of this down. It’s only 10:51 a.m. (EST) but I think I’ll call it a day. I can’t work unless I feel perfectly comfortable, both physically and emotionally at all times.

I’ll be back in the morning. In the meantime, the university needs to start rounding up all of the people who are interfering with my life, liberty, and pursuit of absolute comfort. I hope that no one will feel uncomfortable when they are reprimanded for making me feel uncomfortable.

I know that if everyone follows my lead, free speech will die here at our local university. But at least everyone will feel comfortable at all times. I guess that’s all that really matters.

Things like this are why I wouldn't be caught dead in one of the "elite" schools that have overpoweringly liberal faculties. No thanks, I'll take my basic public education from my state school that's not infested and reeking of such political correctedness (although Ed does say that our poly sci department is very liberal).

MD-90, that was a well constructed article, and very powerful. Excellent work in procuring it for us.

I also feel that it is my constitutional right to make people uncomfortable. I don't go out and do it intentionally, but if they are made uncomfortable when I excersize my right to free speech, I tell them to get over it, first amendment.

God I love the constitution.

DLKAPA

Edit: Welcome to my RR list.

[Edited 2004-03-31 05:20:18]

And all at once the crowd begins to sing: Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same

UNCW ??? Where the fuck is that school ??? Surely that's not an "elite" school. Its funny to see rightwingers get pissed off when they are treated the way they want to treat other people. I see lots of these " I can't take this liberal shit anymore" stories. But I smell a rightwing twist here .... The point of this story (if it is in fact true) is.... Why can't people conform and take there place behind the white republican males ??? Ain't that the point MD-90 ???

This guy spews the usual right wing rubbish that has now become the cornerstone of rightwing folk lore. He has not lost his job, or been told to shut up - merely that there are some who are uncomfortable by what he said. Does he offer what he said that made such a person uncomfortable? No. This is the stupid doublespeak this trashmeister engages in:

"penalty for that transgression was simple: a ban on discussing my columns in the office in front of those who might be offended by my opinions. "

And who are these people who might be offended? All his colleagues? Some of his colleagues?

Well, Mike Adams should know that in the name of civility, personal discourse, and maintaining the peace in a workplace ALL of us have limits on our first amendment rights. We steer clear of making our opinions known of religion and religious figures; no racial jokes, no ethnic stereotyping; we do not damn the choices others make in their personal lives. We try and live and work in harmony. Its the workplace; not a soapbox.

Mike Adams has not been shushed from airing his views in the classroom, or from airing his views in his political columns. In fact, it appears that the university continues to pay him for doing that. So, this charlatan can obfuscate the two issues for the stupid few, but he doesnt fool anyone.

I don't have a problem with those who can't stand PC-I can't stand it either, but MD-90, you think it only comes from the left. Well, son, it doesn't. It comes from the right to-not PC, but discriminating against those that make one feel uncomfortable, and for many conservatives, it's gays; or minorities, or foreigners. It works on both sides.

UNCW is the University of N. Carolina Wilmington ??? Well hush my mouth yawl. North Carolina has always been known for their far leftwing polices..... Like letting black people use white peoples bafrooms and sit anywhere on the bus etc. etc. I can see why he is pissed !!!

What does discussing your beliefs have to do with separation of church and state? I mean If your a preaching with a copy of the bible in your hand that's one thing. But if you are sharing your views on a subject, unless it is during a public university sponsored class. It has absolutely nothing to do with that. I think that if someone is discussing something that makes you uncomfortable, don't listen or ask them to stop. You don't have to go taddle tale on them, isn't that from 3rd grade? Only if they don't stop do you then take the next step.

I don't have a problem with those who can't stand PC-I can't stand it either, but MD-90, you think it only comes from the left. Well, son, it doesn't. It comes from the right to-not PC, but discriminating against those that make one feel uncomfortable, and for many conservatives, it's gays; or minorities, or foreigners. It works on both sides.

To deny that is to deny the truth, MD-90.

You know good and well the being politically correct is a hallmark of liberalism. Being PC has nothing to do with whether anything makes you uncomfortable, only a few select things. I don't see being political correct as discriminating against people who make you feel uncomfortable, anyway, and you're wrong to stereotype conservatives as being made uncomfortable by gays, minorities, or foreigners.

I just think it goes overboard sometimes. Saying African-American instead of Negro, colored, or nigger (and while some of you may gasp at the thought, that once was an accepted term for a black person, and, while admittedly decades ago, it did not carry the stigma of cruel racial hatred that it does today) is fine, but using it instead of black? What's wrong with saying someone's black? (as long as you're not trying to stereotype or put someone down, of course).

From the wikipedia: Both the movement and the term describing political correctness, rose to broad usage in the early 1980s. Many leftists allege that the term "political correctness" started as a label jokingly used to describe one's over-commitment to various political causes. In the view of one conservative commentator, Bill Lind, however, the intellectual roots and attitudes associated with PC are many decades old [1] and rooted in radical leftist movements.

It generally is a liberally based thing, and you should admit it.

IhadAPheo, separation of church and state has absolutely nothing to do with the argument. It doesn't apply to individuals, only government entities and religious institutions/churches/etc.

DC10Guy, quoting: "UNCW is the University of N. Carolina Wilmington ??? Well hush my mouth yawl. North Carolina has always been known for their far leftwing polices..... Like letting black people use white peoples bafrooms and sit anywhere on the bus etc. etc. I can see why he is pissed !!!"

Yes UNCW is the university of North Carolina at Wilmington, and yes it has some very good programs. For instance they have one of the best Marine Biology programs in the country. I'm tempted to tell you to go to hell, but that was just my off the cuff reaction to your ignorance. First off, it's not polite to make fun of a culture like that. It's not right in this country to make fun of any culture, well unless it's southern. Could you not have phrased that in a way that did not make you come off like someone who has actually been to high school? For instance, "The South has a history of being of conservative persuasion," rather than stereotyping everyone in my state and my home. So yes, hush your mouth, it would do you a lot of good.

And just for the record, I've been a member of this site for over two years now. I don't care about getting banned, warned or whatever now, I'm sick of these biggotted assholes labelling my home, my accent, my state's universities, and my intelligence. Southerners are a cultural group, it wouldn't fly on this forum if you made fun of ebonics, or how black people speak. Nor would it fly if you made fun of Jewish people in such a derogotory fasion. I'm sick of being ridiculed and if you consider yourself Southerner or have a Southern accent it's time to speak out. We are not stupid. We are not backward. Our opinions are not reactionary garbage. We have good universities. The South does not have a monopoly on racism in this country and not everyone who practices it has an accent. Living in New York has proven this to me. Racism is practiced in different forms across the U.S. DC10Guy and others who seem to enjoy this ignorant flamebait: Come down off your high horse. Y'all need to come down off your high horse. (Yes! I said y'all and I'm actually intelligent.) Those pesky high SAT scores didn't bother me! I received an 800 verbal and you know what? I say fixin' to...y'all...and bless your heart! I'm not the only one either-the South that y'all see is imaginary; a figment of your closed little minds.

Unless you a minority, or you are gay and you are able to write in your essay about how badly you were discriminated against. Then its like, 1320, 3.3...you're in!

The tide is slowly beginning to change, especially at state universities. For example, there were protests outside of our school's "Palestinian Film Festival" in which they showed leftist, anti-Israel garbage independent films like "Jenin, Jenin." A group of students, no one knows who, covered the posters for the film with Israeli flag stickers. The Muslim Student Association and the liberal political science professors that promoted the movies (and our school has a lot of Middle Eastern students) were absolutely blasted in the school paper's editorials for being so biased and for showing such hateful movies.

"Unless you a minority, or you are gay and you are able to write in your essay about how badly you were discriminated against. Then its like, 1320, 3.3...you're in!"

Well as a Bush supporting white male conservative, I am sure you can write to Harvard and complain about how badly you are discriminated against on a.net by all those liberal meanies ! Suddenly all those Cs won't count.

"The tide is slowly beginning to change, especially at state universities. For example, there were protests outside of our school's "Palestinian Film Festival" in which they showed leftist, anti-Israel garbage independent films like "Jenin, Jenin." A group of students, no one knows who, covered the posters for the film with Israeli flag stickers."

LOL. Only you would laud such childish antics.

And I am sure you would never go SEE "Jenin Jenin." Maybe its because you could actually LEARN something. Gosh, the film even got play in Israel and was touted by the Israeli press as being a fair portrayal. But then its easier blaming minorities and gays for one's inabilities to learn - or get decent grades. I am sure thats right up there with those touted conservative values of taking personal responsibility for one's actions - or lack thereof.

"The South does not have a monopoly on racism in this country and not everyone who practices it has an accent. Living in New York has proven this to me. Racism is practiced in different forms across the U.S."

You are absolutely correct. I visit the Carolinas often - because that is where my significant other is from - and have found that the South is a quirky place with a great diversity of opinion, a wonderful literary tradition, and great universities like Duke, and the UNC system. And I find Southern accents charming. I wouldnt want to live there, but then I wouldnt want to live in Detroit either.

For those of you that don't notice it. There is a double standard at most public universities. Here at UT I get it all the time. You must be tolerant of others however, we are not going to be tolerant of you. I live it day in and day out. Yes it does happen on both sides of the fence it is just that at public universities it is so skewed in one direction that conservative oppression of liberals is a rarer occurrence than the other way around.

<>< Garen

Rocky Top You'll Always be home sweet home to me, Good ole' Rocky Top WOOOOO

"Yes it does happen on both sides of the fence it is just that at public universities it is so skewed in one direction that conservative oppression of liberals is a rarer occurrence than the other way around."

Oh boy, here we go again.
Discrimination being cried by those who dont want their powers and rights to discriminate being discriminated.

Likewise, Pendrilsaint, we don't do the SAT thing down here, generally, but I got a 36 on the reading section of the ACT (which is a perfect score, in case you're not familiar with the ACT).

I hate the south. Yes, you bible thumping bigots of the south.

Well, that explains a lot.

I am sure you can write to Harvard and complain about how badly you are discriminated against on a.net by all those liberal meanies.

1. I wouldn't go to Harvard if they offered me a full scholarship (no, I am not kidding)
2. You're probably ignored more than you realize, so nah, being a liberal meanie doesn't mean much.

There's also going to be a big double standard exposed if it's true that Fulmer gave the NCAA inside info about Alabama in return for protection of UT's football program that has apparently had some improprieties of its own. It's pretty big in Mississippi, since Jackie Sherril is suing the NCAA for the investigation of MSU that was fraught with errors and failed to turn up anything of real substance, and because Ole Miss' coach used to coach for Fulmer.

Mmm... double standard...maybe. I went to the UT-MSU game last year. Big, tall stadium. Very good band. Nice bald eagle flight during the patriotic show. Horrible game. As usual.

But I've been hearing very, very good things about Coach Croom. Bama's going to be upset that they passed him over.

You know good and well the being politically correct is a hallmark of liberalism.

And being biased against those I mentinoned, is indeed a hallmark of conservatism. Both sides are guilty of it.

and you're wrong to stereotype conservatives as being made uncomfortable by gays, minorities, or foreigners.

ROTFL. Then you're wrong for stereotypinc liberals as being made uncomfortable of religion or white people. But the truth is, both sides ARE guilty of the same thing. Yet you want me to believe conservatives aren't guilty of this, and only "liberals" are?

You must be tolerant of others however, we are not going to be tolerant of you.

We don't agree often TYSgoVols, but I agree with you on that one. Case in point, universities that have been forced to change their nicknames, because some people-usually not even affilliated with one of these schools, don't like their Indian nicknames. There whole thrust is "we don't care what you like. Either you do what WE want, or we'll make your life a living hell". So universities like Eastern Michiagan, St. John, Marquette and Miami of Ohio, were forced to give up their nicknames to this "it's our way or no way" mentality.

But my point was it exists on the right, too. Many ultra-conservatives, who don't like gays, or minorities, or foreigners, have the same attitude of "my way or the highway", and it's just as wrong.

UNCW is the University of N. Carolina Wilmington ??? Well hush my mouth yawl. North Carolina has always been known for their far leftwing polices..... Like letting black people use white peoples bafrooms and sit anywhere on the bus etc. etc. I can see why he is pissed !!!

That is just pure ignorance, actually it's sickening. When do you graduate from the 3rd grade DC10guy??

I usually don't touch discussions like this but I just have to say something to this. I feel MD-90's pain, it is typical liberal hypocrisy, just like how the ACLU acts. I find it very aggravating that a liberal can say whatever they want even if it offends a conservative, but a conservative can't say crap because a liberal is offended. Seriously, that is the most hypocritical thing I have ever heard. At least that's what I'm getting here by reading this topic.

Just my 2 cents that I am just as entitled to as a liberal's two cents.

"1. I wouldn't go to Harvard if they offered me a full scholarship (no, I am not kidding)."

LOL.
And the sun didn't rise this morning because it was a cloudy day.

"There's not very much ideological diversity, just shallow pandering to sexual and racial diversity of every code, creed, stripe, and color."

Its because we are a nation of sexual and racial diversity of every code, creed, stripe, and color. And maybe its because being "educated" allows people to realize that. All that social conservatives have done over the years is to violently subjugate those who weren't like them.

And I am sure you would never go SEE "Jenin Jenin." Maybe its because you could actually LEARN something. Gosh, the film even got play in Israel and was touted by the Israeli press as being a fair portrayal. But then its easier blaming minorities and gays for one's inabilities to learn - or get decent grades. I am sure thats right up there with those touted conservative values of taking personal responsibility for one's actions - or lack thereof.

No. I probably wouldn't because it is not an accurate portrayal from all accounts. Why didn't the producers show innocent Israeli children getting blown up on a bus before cutting to the clip of the Jenin camp. Why? Because it would basically kill their story of 'The innocent Palestinians are getting hurt by the meanie Israeli's.'

Well as a Bush supporting white male conservative, I am sure you can write to Harvard and complain about how badly you are discriminated against on a.net by all those liberal meanies ! Suddenly all those Cs won't count.

Give me a break, Jay. That is what my transcript looked like coming out of a private high school. Do you want to explain to me how a black kid with the same SATs and 3.4 got accepted to Duke and Cornell with less extracurriculars than me? I can't wait to hear your answer.

3. Hospitality has not gone out of style here. No better place to have your car conk out than somewhere in the South. Someone will be by shortly to help you (probably a by-product of that "Bible Belt" business).

"No. I probably wouldn't because it is not an accurate portrayal from all accounts. Why didn't the producers show innocent Israeli children getting blown up on a bus before cutting to the clip of the Jenin camp. Why? Because it would basically kill their story of 'The innocent Palestinians are getting hurt by the meanie Israeli's.'"

What you dont get is that a. Innocent palestinians are getting KILLED and displaced by the meanie Israelis; and b. Innocent Israelis are getting KILLED by the meanie Palestinians. One doesnt preclude the other. I saw a beautiful film a few years ago which was a love story staged in the 1947 separation of India told from the perspective of a young hindu woman. It didnt hide the fact that over one million people from both sides were killed. It was a film about real people. So was Jenin, Jenin. But then it appears that its hard for you to understand anything other than propaganda.

"Do you want to explain to me how a black kid with the same SATs and 3.4 got accepted to Duke and Cornell with less extracurriculars than me? I can't wait to hear your answer."

Maybe its because he was smarter and wrote a better set of essays. And given what I've read about your woes concerning your academic performance - your words, not mine - at your UT School, I doubt if Duke and Cornell made the wrong decision. I mean - come on - you'd be massacred academically at Duke or Cornell !

DC10Guy, you are way over the edge. Not to mention you just bashed a crew member, who is the one lacking intelligence in this situation? And yes, I'll be glad to take you to the sociology department at my university and they will happily tell you that Southerners are a culturally bonded group. (Some say the only true remaining cultural group in the United States). As much as you may hate to admit it, our way of speaking, foods, hospitality, architecture, and general way of living make us a cultural group. You are the one who obviously lacks culture in this thread, unable to hold a post criticizing someone without referring to them as a bubba. I would figure someone in the 30+ age category, as you claim to be, would have more civility. Also, I am not your son, and I find it funny that someone who you refer to as 'son' can form a more coherent and civil argument than you can.

Israel has a right to exist, and exist where they are. They haven't been perfect, but their stated goal is simply to survive in peace, unlike the Palestinians. In 1967, they tried to push Israel off the map into the sea. Too bad they failed.

When's the last time you heard of a terrorist from Israel, eh? Other than on Al-Jazeera?

"Jaysit, save it for somebody who cares, aight?
Israel has a right to exist, and exist where they are. They haven't been perfect, but their stated goal is simply to survive in peace, unlike the Palestinians. In 1967, they tried to push Israel off the map into the sea. Too bad they failed."

What is your point other than blind support for everything that Israel does? Israel has a right to exist. Who denies that? Israel has been uniformly wretched in its treatment of native Palestinians since 1948. Even our erstwhile President accepts that fact. Maybe Tom Delay doesnt, but the man is worse than the rodents he once killed.

So why does a film that shows the wretched treatment of Palestinians by Israel irk you so much? Maybe its because it punches a big hole in that shell of propagandist rubbish you surround yourself with.

Its classic Texan style holly roller support for Israel. With all the doomsday biblical implications that go with it.

"Jaysit, save it for somebody who cares, aight?"

Do I really give a sh*t what some underachieving Texan students think?

When's the last time you heard of a terrorist from Israel, eh?> Ahh last year MD90, when the Israelis busted a local Israeli ring that was selling munitions to the palestinians to keep the flames going. That would certainly qualify as a terrorist.

I just think it goes overboard sometimes. Saying African-American instead of Negro, colored, or nigger (and while some of you may gasp at the thought, that once was an accepted term for a black person, and, while admittedly decades ago, it did not carry the stigma of cruel racial hatred that it does today) is fine, but using it instead of black?

It's amazing that no matter what the subject, MD90..you manage some how weasel the black/white issue into it somehow..some way.

"that once was an accepted term for a black person, and, while admittedly decades ago,"

It was?? By who?? The black person being called it 'had no choice but to accept it ..esp. where you live!!! And it wasn't decades ago...a few years at best. Your state and neighboring state still have segregated proms! And their's no doubt in my mind that terms like this are muttered by you all most daily..of course you don't have the balls to express your discontent about this with any live breathing black person! I can't believe your head is that far up ass for you make such an assinine statement. These are all terms your ancestors selected and applied after they kidnapped and brought these people over here! And now you're mad because they won't let you call them what pleases you....you are one nutty case who a college education is being wasted on!

Neither side is innocent. But Israel does have a large Palestinian population, don't they? And they're treated pretty darn well, considering.

Considering what??? I know some Jewish persians who are doing quite well in Iran. Better than how the palestinans are faring in Israel. I'd like to see you fare well under what the palestinians are enduring over there. You're unhappy here..you'd never make it over there under the same conditions.

BN747

"Home of the Brave, made by the Slaves..Land of the Free, if you look like me.." T. Jefferson

My high school had one prom. However, segregated proms do exist. It's because people want it that way, both groups of people. Segregated proms are voluntary, and not a sign of racism, in my opinion. They're mainly held because of differing tastes in music.

And their's no doubt in my mind that terms like this are muttered by you all most daily

You couldn't be more wrong.

These are all terms your ancestors selected and applied after they kidnapped and brought these people over here!

Not my ancestors, they immigrated too late to really be part of it. I can say with absolute assurance that there was no one in my family on either side that has ever owned slaves in the US.

Better than how the palestinans are faring in Israel. I'd like to see you fare well under what the palestinians are enduring over there. You're unhappy here..you'd never make it over there under the same conditions.

Palestinians and Jews are treated exactly the same under the law in Israel. You've been listening to too much propaganda.